Chinese Government provides $3.2 million grant for 5.5 km Nikao-Takuvaine Road Upgrade Project

In March 2007, the Chinese Government reportedly gave a $3.2 million grant to the Government of the Cook Islands for a 5.5 km Nikao-Takuvaine Road Upgrade Project. The purpose of this project was to upgrade a 5.5.km road section that run from the roundabout in Avarua to Pokoinu Road and links Pokoinu Road to the main ring road immediately west of the airport. Upon completion, it was envisaged that the road would enable traffic to bypass the highly trafficked sections of the main ring road along the Avarua foreshore, Avatiu Harbor and the airport, which are most vulnerable to cyclones. AidData has not identified any evidence that this road ever entered implementation. Some media reporting suggests that the $3.2 million grant from the Chinese Government may have ultimately been repurposed as supplemental funding for the China Eximbank-financed Telecom Sports Arena Construction Project as captured in Project ID#37877.

Additional details

This project is also known as the Inner Ring Road Nikoa-Takuvaine Improvement Project. Some media reporting suggests that the $3.2 million grant from the Chinese Government may have ultimately been repurposed as supplemental funding for the China Eximbank-financed Telecom Sports Arena Construction Project as captured in Project ID#37877 (See: COOK ISLANDS GETS CHINESE FUNDING FOR STADIUM).

Number of official sources

2

Number of total sources

4